Sustainable community development: integrating environmental, economic, and social objectives

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to stimulate and inform discussion about the community role in sustainable development and to broaden our understanding of the opportunities for sustainable community development activity. It begins with an overview of sustainable development, questioning its focus on poverty as a major source of environmental degradation, and suggesting instead that both poverty and environmental degradation result largely from wealth. It next examines the concepts of natural capital and social capital, whether (and if so, how) they are linked, and explores their implications for sustainable development at the community level.Chapter 3 examines planning theory and sustainable development, finds that while planning theory is, or should be, relevant to sustainable development, planners concerned with key aspects of sustainable development will have to look to "greener" pastures for relevant theoretical guidance.Chapter 4 considers the implications for achieving sustainable development in communities, particularly regarding the future of work and community economic development. Chapter 5 details a framework for sustainable community development. Chapter 6 concerns questions of governance for sustainable community development and it focuses on public participation, decision-making, the role of local government, and planning for action. Chapter 7 examines relevant policy instruments and planning tools. Finally, Chapter 8 explores the challenge ahead for sustainable community development. ᭧

Biosphere Reserves: An “Enabling Space” for Communities

“…This would occur i.e., when the strategic direction of activities within the locality, or more specifically within the BR, are dominated by concentrated interests (Cowling et al, 2009). Mutual relations and shared values can be researched using social capital theory, for which inclusive, participatory and multi-stakeholder elements are central in enabling communities to become agents for sustainable development themselves (Roseland, 2000;BarnesMauthe et al, 2014). Based on literature, the four main pillars of social capital can be identified in: -Shared understanding: describes common standards, expectations and beliefs which are based on common values and norms; -Trust: describes the expectation that other members of the community will be honest and cooperative; -Reciprocity: describes the people of the community will to support one another, to mutual exchange with the confidence that it will be returned in the future; -Networks: describes how people and/or groups are linked through different types of ties: bonding (close strong ties within the community), bridging (horizontal ties across communities) and linking ties (vertical ties between communities with differing power and authority).…”

Peace Building Challenges in Kenya Implementation of Community Policing as a critical factor

“…Citizen engagement in the maintenance of law and order, decision-making, and policy implementation has been integrated into a wide range of governance processes. The call for participatory processes is partly driven by the democratic position that those affected by a decision should be involved in the decisionmaking process (Jacobs, 1999;Dryzek, 2000;Roseland, 2000). Participation in such decisions, it is argued, empowers people to have control over their lives (Freire, 1970).…”

“…Consultation has, however, taken many forms and actual practices have often been criticized as tokenistic and cynical. In some cases, the approach taken has been referred to as the "decide, educate, announce, defend" (DEAD) process of public consultation (Roseland, 2000). A similar approach is essential in the implementation of policing initiatives in the Kibera pilot site.…”

Sustainable Urban and Transport Development for Transportation Disadvantaged: A Review~!2009-09-21~!2009-12-15~!2010-03-16~!

“…The second question is whether SUTD policies also consider citizens' accessibility to urban opportunities, particularly for those who are TDA [25]. This second question aligns with the social dimension of sustainability, whereby sustainability policies should take into account of social considerations together with environmental and economic sustainability issues [26]. It also relates to the arguments about efficiency versus equity of market and governmental regulations.…”